The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-21
professional politician, the man who makes a
living out of politics-a character unknown
twenty years ago."
THE RUSSIAN CAR AT HOME.


Which Is Practically a Prison.
Lcndon Letter in new York World.
Since the recent attack upon the Czar of Rus
sa he has spent much of his time at Gatchina,
the one place in Russia where he is supposed to
be safe from the attacks Of the Nihilists On
account of the mystery surrounding this place
and the little that is generally known about it,
a recent letter from a representative of the
World at st. Petersburg giving some details con-
cerning this place of residence will be of inter
est. What he has written about it has been
gathered from officers who have from time to
time been detailed for service at this place.
Gatchina is situated between the two summer
residences of Tzarkoe-Selo and Krasnoe-Selo.
Since the elevation of Alexander III. Gatchina
has been but little spoken of, but the Gatchina
kennels are celebrated. When the Czar Nicho-
las wished to give to some of his court the proof
of his good will he would give them
dog of the Gatchina breed. The chateau
constructed by Peter the Great and he
cavs it to his sister Natalie. The Empress
Katherine gave it to Orloff- He made great
changes there, with the aid of an Italian archi-
tect. Rinald adding two wings to it. Rinaldi
was employed to decorate the interior. AT the
death of the favorite the Empress bought back
the chateau and placed it at the disposal of the
Grand Duke Paul, who lived thero great many
years Since that time the chateau has rarely
been inhabited. Gatchlna is long building,
with wing at each end. Upon the corner OF
each stands tower. 1t has three floors. The
first is supported by columns of Finnish marble.
The interior Of the chateau is not specially note
worthy. For some years. however, the Empress
has sent mum Der of pictures here, taking them
from the Hermitage and the Winter Palace
The park which surrounds the chateau is admir-
ably arranged. There is a small brook and two
little lakes in the park. close to it's walls. The
forest, which comes up close to the park, is very
thick. The work of trimming out this park was
begun only some five years ago, and has cost
enormous sums of money
The guarding of the chateau and the park IS
excessively rigorous. The roads which ter
inmate at Gatchina patrolled oy soldiers. who
stop all passersby and ask for their papers
The railroad station is equally guarded. although
1t is only used for trains for the members of the
household. People who do not belong to the
imperial service cannot enter depart from
these trains at the Gatchina station. Around
the park wall there is chain OF sentines, who
are placed seventv-hve feet apart. and they IN
| turn relieved every hour, that there can
| be relaxing the vigilance of the guard.
| Admission to the park and the chateau is not
permitted, not even to the servants or the en-
ployeS of the imperial Cabinet, except upon the
| presentation Of admission card, whose color
| is changed every eight days More than this,
| the people living in the chateau. no matter what
may be their rank at court. are forbidden to
| shut the doors of their apartments either night
| or day. General Richter, who has charge of the
| imperial troops at Gatchina. and General
| Tscherwir, chief of Police of Imperial Safety.
| have the right to enter any of these cham
| bors when they please in order to make any
| search they may deem necessary.
| 1t will thus be seen that all measures OF pre-
| caution have been well taken. The task has
| been much more dificnlt because it has been the
| wish of the Emperor that no guests of the cha
| reau should De conscious of the presence of the
| police The Gar desires to have his personal
safety closely guarded, but at the same time he
| is not willing to give up his favorite amuse-
| ments, such as walking hunting, fishing and
| rowing He often goes alone into the woods
| and in the neigh borhood of the chateau and it
| has happened several times that the police agents
who have followed him have been taken for con-
| spirators The Empress. who is constantly fear
| full and who wishes to conceal her fears, has
| had two long galleries built where she has had
every thing introduced which could by any pos
sibliity sinuse and distract the Car.
After numerous prayers she Gas succeeded n
getting him to take his daily exercise in these
galleries-at least when the weather is bad The
Gar and CZarina often out in a carriage to
gether to pass several hours at St Petersburg
which is distant from Gatchina about six miles
The Gar does not like military escorts. He has
given proof in actual circumstances of courage
and most remarkable coolness He was seer
only a month ago to mngle IN a street CROWD
during fire which ragged in one OF the narrow
est streets of the capital. The aid-de-camp who
accompanied him in this perilous expedition sait
the next day: Il would have much preferred K
walk alone in street with caunonadini
towards me from both ends than to find nv
self again. under similar circumstances. in thi
crowd"
Around Gatchina there is a veritable camp
This army is there only for the pnrnose o
guarding one man. the chief of 240, 600. COO sub
jects. The Car is obliged to live il this littl
chateau. built in the midst of an almost nake
plain-a chateau which has no past history
which is not to be compared with those of Yer
sailles, Windsor, Schoenbrunn or Potsdam--an
all this because handful OF fanatics exist il
Russia who will hesitate at no crime to furthe
an end which they know to be absolutel,
chimerical. The Russians love their Emperor
and the few fanatics of Nihiists will not be abl
to change the sentiments of an entire people.